Yesterday at about 5:30 p.m. a 52-year-old cyclist riding on Chrystie Street was turning onto Delancey when he apparently collided with the back of a tractor-trailer, was pulled under its wheels, and was killed. He was pronounced dead at the scene. According to DNA Info, the man has been identified as Jeffrey Axelrod of Hicks Street in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. There's no criminality suspected -- sources say Axelrod, who was wearing a helmet, appeared to have a problem with his chain and lost control of his bike, which hit the truck and then got pulled underneath it.

Jeff was a fixture at the Kane St. Church every Tuesday for Cobble Hill's CSA Vegetable Pickup, often wearing his cycling clothes and toting his bike. Every week, I would look forward to seeing Jeff's name in my inbox with an email announcing the vegetables for the week, signing off simply: "peace, jeff."

I've been a member for 2 years and he has been the steady face of the CSA -- truly defining "community" in our enclave in Brooklyn. It is a very sad moment for this community and for everyone who knew Jeff -- his presence in Cobble Hill has been important and this tragedy will leave a void...

We Recommend

Jeff was my childhood next door neighbor. Countless good memories. A more wonderful family you could never meet. We lost touch in later years, but this is just devestating news. He's with his parents now. RIP, Jeff, I will never forget you.

Jeff was a good friend and fellow cyclist. We would always discuss nerdy bike things and always ride together. Gunna miss you brother. My heart goes out to your family. And you will be greatly missed at the church on tuesdays. Still in shock...

This tragedy is really sad and disheartening. I knew Jeff from work, although we worked in different departments, Jeff working daytime hours and me working the night shift. Jeff would have to punch out in my office and we shared small talk for several years. Jeff had a nice persona, always had something nice to say. I didn't know then that Jeff lived in Cobble Hill. I grew up in the same neighborhood and attended Cub Scouts as a child in the very same church on kane Street. RIp Jeff, you will be missed.

Jeff was a fixture in Cobble Hill. I will always think of him popping up next to me at the Waterfront on Atlantic Avenue, coming directly from a Bikram yoga class. Washing down some kind of organic snack he brought in a plastic bag with a pint of beer, pulling out the latest CD he had purchased and popping it in a portable player to preview it, because he just couldn't wait to get home and listen to it. He gave manic a good name. Jeff was passionate about music, cycling, yoga, politics...life.